BS in Public Health
Graduates in Public Health are health education specialists who are likely to pursue career paths as: health educators working for hospitals, non-profit organizations, government agencies, private business, and colleges and universities.
Marketable Skills
Students will develop the following skills:
- Communication: Reach mutual understanding through effective exchange of information, ideas, and feelings
- Leadership: Step up, think, and act critically and creatively to bring others together to accomplish a common task
- Problem-solving: Find solutions to difficult or complex issues
- Research: Be able to search, investigate and critically analyze information in response to a specific research question
- Social responsibility: Act ethically and responsibly for the benefit of society and the public good
- Stress management: Be able to identify causes of stress, identify effective coping mechanisms, and take action to change the situation
- Teamwork: Participate as an effective, efficient member of a group in order to meet a common goal
Additionally, students will learn:
- Grant writing, use effective writing to apply for funding to agencies to implement public health programs in the community
- Health behavior, use of effective mechanisms to help individuals make informed decisions about lifestyle modifications
- Health education techniques
The Public Health Degree prepares graduates to function as successful professionals in community health and public health settings as health education specialists. Health education specialists work in a variety of settings such as community, public health departments, private business, and schools. The curriculum is designed to provide a broad general-educational foundation as well as the basic skills, experiences, and professional competencies specific to the practice of health promotion/education. Graduates of this 120-semester hour program function in planning, implementing, evaluating, and administering health promotion and health education strategies, interventions and programs. The curriculum renders the graduate eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) national examination for certification.
Students in the Public Health Major select one of two concentrations:
- Students in the General Concentration complete a common core of courses in Public Health and then may select a minor, certificate, or complete electives in consultation with a Public Health Sciences faculty member or advisor. The General Concentration includes a practicum component. Students who participate in practicum will be required to pass a background checks and complete clinical compliance requirements in order to complete program requirements.
- Students in the All-Level Health Education concentration complete a core of Public Health courses and a minor in All-Level Education while preparing to earn teacher certification and becoming health teachers in the school system. This program requires students apply to the College of Education and successfully pass a background check to be eligible for field experience, student teaching, and applying for a teaching certificate.
- Students in the BS Health Promotion or BS Public Health cannot declare the HPRO minor or the Undergraduate Certificate in Public Health.
All undergraduate students majoring in Public Health must obtain a minimum grade of C in all HSCI courses in order to graduate. Students who do not meet this requirement must retake the courses and achieve a minimum grade of “C.”
Degree Plan
BS in Public Health with General Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Designated Core | ||
| General Biology and Topics in Study of Life I C | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology I and Human Anat/Physio Lab I C | ||
| Math for Social Sciences I C | ||
or MATH 1411 | Calculus I | |
or MATH 1508 | Precalculus | |
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 42 | |
| Public Health Support Courses | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| BIOL 2313 & BIOL 2113 | Human Anat/Physiology II and Human Anat/Physio Lab II | 4 |
| CHEM 1307 & CHEM 1107 | Intro to General Chemistry and Intro General Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| PSYC 1303 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| RWS 3359 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Public Health Major- General Concentration (All courses require a grade of C or better.) | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| HSCI 1301 | Fnd. of Hlth Sci. & Hlth Promo C | 3 |
| HSCI 2302 | Fundamentals of Nutrition C | 3 |
| HSCI 3301 | Community Health C | 3 |
| HSCI 3306 | Environmental Health C | 3 |
| HSCI 3308 | Disease Charc/Prevnt/Contrl C | 3 |
| HSCI 3311 | Introduction to Epidemiology C | 3 |
| HSCI 3312 | Theories & Meth of Hlth Behav C | 3 |
| HSCI 3315 | Research For The Health Prof C | 3 |
| HSCI 4304 | Public Health Administration C | 3 |
| HSCI 4307 | Hlth Promo Plan & Implement C | 3 |
| HSCI 4309 | Program Eval in Health Science C | 3 |
| HSCI 4312 | Grant Writing in Hlth Profess C | 3 |
| HSCI 4313 | Practicum I C | 3 |
| HSCI 4314 | Practicum II C | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 20 hours of electives from any subject at any level. Students are encouraged to consider a minor or certificate to fill elective credits | 20 | |
| Total Hours | 118 | |
| C | Courses require a grade of C or better. |
BS in Public Health with All-Level Health Education Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GPA for Certification | ||
| This degree plan prepares students for teacher certification in the State of Texas. Although a 2.0 GPA is required to earn a degree from UTEP, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) requires a 2.75 GPA to become certified to teach in the State of Texas. For additional information, please contact your advisor. | ||
| Background Check Required | ||
| A complete background check is required of all students who wish to receive teacher certification in the State of Texas. Students will be required to pass a background check before certification will be conferred by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC). | ||
| Designated Core | ||
| General Biology and Topics in Study of Life I C | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology I and Human Anat/Physio Lab I C | ||
| Math for Social Sciences I C | ||
or MATH 1411 | Calculus I | |
or MATH 1508 | Precalculus | |
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 44 | |
| Public Health Support Courses | ||
| BIOL 2313 & BIOL 2113 | Human Anat/Physiology II and Human Anat/Physio Lab II | 4 |
| CHEM 1307 & CHEM 1107 | Intro to General Chemistry and Intro General Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| or | ||
| General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| PSYC 1303 | Statistical Methods C | 3 |
| RWS 3359 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Public Health Major- All-Level Health Education Concentration (All courses require a grade of C or better.) | ||
| HSCI 1301 | Fnd. of Hlth Sci. & Hlth Promo C | 3 |
| HSCI 2302 | Fundamentals of Nutrition C | 3 |
| HSCI 3301 | Community Health C | 3 |
| HSCI 3306 | Environmental Health C | 3 |
| HSCI 3308 | Disease Charc/Prevnt/Contrl C | 3 |
| HSCI 3311 | Introduction to Epidemiology C | 3 |
| HSCI 3312 | Theories & Meth of Hlth Behav C | 3 |
| HSCI 3315 | Research For The Health Prof C | 3 |
| HSCI 4101 | Health Ed Elem Schl Teach Lab C | 1 |
| HSCI 4304 | Public Health Administration C | 3 |
| HSCI 4307 | Hlth Promo Plan & Implement C | 3 |
| HSCI 4309 | Program Eval in Health Science C | 3 |
| HSCI 4312 | Grant Writing in Hlth Profess C | 3 |
| SCED 3312 | General Methods in Sec School | 3 |
| All-Levels Education Minor | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| BED 4317 | Tch & Empwr ELLs in Sec Schls | 3 |
| EDPC 3300 | Developmental Variations | 3 |
| RED 3342 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| SCED 3311 | Curriculum Plan-Secondary Schl | 3 |
| TED 4699 | Internship-All Levels Inclusiv | 6 |
| Electives | ||
| 4 Credit open electives | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
University Core Curriculum
NOTE: The department may make specific suggestions for courses which are most applicable towards your major.
Psychology and Criminal Justice majors and minors are required to take MATH 1320 Math for Social Sciences I or a higher level Calculus course.
Business majors are required to take MATH 1320 Math for Social Sciences I or a higher level Calculus course.
NOTE: All courses require a C or better
Communication (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the communication component is to enable the student to communicate effectively in clear and correct prose or orally in a style appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. | ||
| Select six hours of the following: | 6 | |
| For students whose secondary education was in English: | ||
| Written and Oral Communication | ||
| Writing About Literature | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition 2 | ||
| Rhetoric, Composition & Comm | ||
| For students whose secondary education was not in English: | ||
| ESOL 1311 | Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl | 3 |
| ESOL 1312 | Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
American History (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objectives of the history component are to expand students’ knowledge of the origin and history of the U.S., their comprehension of the past and current role of the U.S. in the world, and their ability to critically evaluate and analyze historical evidence. U.S. history courses (three hours must be Texas history) include: | ||
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Language, Philosophy & Culture (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the humanities component is to expand students' knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such as literature and philosophy, students engage in critical analysis and develop an appreciation of the humanities as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Latina/o Presence in the U.S. | ||
| English Literature | ||
| English Literature | ||
| Intro to American Fiction | ||
| Intro to American Drama | ||
| Intro to American Poetry | ||
| Making of the "Other" Americas | ||
| World History to 1500 | ||
| World History Since 1500 | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Introduct to Religious Studies | ||
| Seeing & Naming: Conversations | ||
| Introduction to Womens Studies | ||
| Global Feminisms | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Mathematics (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the mathematics component is to develop a quantitatively literate college graduate. Every college graduate should be able to apply basic mathematical tools in the solution of real-world problems. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Trigonometry and Conics | ||
| Math in the Modern World | ||
| Math for Social Sciences I | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Precalculus 1,2 | ||
| Math for Social Sciences II | ||
| Statistical Literacy | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods | ||
| 1 A higher-level course in the calculus sequence can be substituted. | ||
| 2 TCCN MATH 1314 will also satisfy this requirement. | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Life & Physical Sciences (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the study of the natural sciences is to enable the student to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to enable the student to understand the bases for building and testing theories. The courses listed are for non-majors; the major courses in the discipline can be substituted for the non-major sequence. A minimum of two semesters of lecture and one semester of laboratory associated with one of the courses, or two semesters of combined (3 credit) lecture-laboratory courses (Only six hours apply toward the required 42.): | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1-4 | |
| Astronomy Lab I | ||
| Elem Astronomy-Solar System | ||
| Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies | ||
| Introductory Biology Lab | ||
| Human Biology Laboratory | ||
| Topics in Study of Life I | ||
| Organismal Biology Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Human Biology | ||
| General Biology | ||
| Organismal Biology | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab I | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab II | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology I | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology II | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | ||
| Intro General Chemistry Lab | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochem Lab | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| Intro to General Chemistry | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochemistry | ||
| Environmental Sci. Lab | ||
| Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301 | ||
| Intro to Environment Science 2 | ||
| Intro to Environmental Sci | ||
| Laboratory for GEOG 1306 | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1313 | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1314 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | ||
| Laboratory for Geology 1212 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sciences | ||
| Principles of Earth Science | ||
| The Blue Planet | ||
| Natural Hazards | ||
| Intro to Physical Geology | ||
| Intro to Historical Geol | ||
| Fundamentals of Nutrition | ||
| Wellness Dynamics | ||
| Microorganisms and Disease | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Introductory Mechanics | ||
| Introductory Electromagnetism | ||
| Total Hours | 1-4 | |
Political Science (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objectives of the political science component are to expand students’ knowledge of the origin and evolution of the U.S. and Texas political systems, focusing on the growth of political institutions, and on the constitutions of Texas and the United States; and to enhance their understanding of federalism, states rights, and individual civil liberties, rights, and responsibilities. | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the social and behavioral science component is to increase students' knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog | ||
| Intro-Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Intro to Linguistics | ||
| Econ for Engrs & Scientists | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Mass Media and Society | ||
| Principles of Economics | ||
| Principles of Economics | ||
| Introduction to Ed Psychology | ||
| Action Research in Classrooms | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| An Intro. to Linguistics | ||
| Lang. Inside & Out: Sel Topics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Creative Arts (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the visual and performing arts component is to expand students' knowledge and appreciation of the human imagination as expressed through works of visual art, dance, music, theatre and film. Through study in these disciplines, students will form aesthetic judgments and develop an appreciation of the arts as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| History of Art I | ||
| History of Art II | ||
| Dance Appreciation | ||
| Intro-Art of Motion Pict. | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Jazz to Rock | ||
| Music, Culture, and Society | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Component Area Option (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the institutionally designated option component is to develop the critical thinking skills and academic tools required to be an effective learner. Special emphasis is placed on the use of technology in problem-solving, communications, and knowledge acquisition. | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Intro to Global Business | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Business/Profession Comm | ||
| Intro-Computational Thinking | ||
| Computer Programming Sci/Engr | ||
| Eng Innovation and Leadership | ||
| Inquiry in Math & Science | ||
| Seminar/Critical Inquiry | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |